Cabinet approves alteration of the name of the State of “Kerala” to “Keralam”

1. At a Glance

Union Cabinet approved a proposal to alter the name of the State of "Kerala" to "Keralam" on 24 February 2026 [S1][S2].
The instrument is the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, to be processed under Article 3 of the Constitution [S1].
Touches Polity (Art. 2–4, First Schedule), federalism, and centre–state procedure — high-yield for Prelims/GS-II.

On 24 Feb 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi cleared the renaming proposal [S1].
Acts on a unanimous resolution of the Kerala Legislative Assembly dated 24.06.2024 appealing to the Centre to modify the name in the First Schedule [S2].

Kerala State was formed on 1 November 1956 under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, merging Travancore-Cochin with Malabar district (Madras) and Kasaragod taluk (South Canara) on linguistic lines [S2].
The Malayalam name of the state has always been "കേരളം" (Keralam); the demand is to align the English/official name with the Malayalam usage [S2].
Kerala Assembly first passed a renaming resolution in August 2023; a fresh resolution was passed on 24 June 2024 after the earlier proposal required re-routing [S2].
Precedents of state renaming: Orissa → Odisha (2011), Uttaranchal → Uttarakhand (2007), Pondicherry → Puducherry (2006), Madras → Tamil Nadu (1969).

Triggering Act / Article: Article 3 of the Constitution — power of Parliament to form new states and alter areas, boundaries or names of existing states [S1].
Proviso to Article 3: A Bill for the purpose cannot be introduced in Parliament except on the recommendation of the President, and the President must first refer it to the State Legislature concerned for expressing its views within a stipulated period [S1].
Schedule affected: First Schedule (list of States and Union Territories) [S2].
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs (handles state reorganisation / name alteration Bills).
Bill: Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 [S1].
Approving authority sequence: Union Cabinet → President's reference to State Assembly → State Assembly's views → President's recommendation → introduction in Parliament → simple majority in both Houses → President's assent [S1].

Legal / Constitutional:
Article 3 read with Article 4 — laws made under Art. 2/3 are not deemed to be constitutional amendments under Art. 368; require only simple majority [S1].
State's views are recommendatory, not binding on Parliament; the proviso secures consultation, not consent.
Federalism / Governance:
Demonstrates cooperative federalism: state-initiated resolution, Centre-led legislative action [S1][S2].
Procedural delay (2023 resolution → 2024 fresh resolution → 2026 Cabinet nod) reflects the Centre's gatekeeping role in Art. 3 process.
Historical / Cultural:
"Keralam" connects to Malayalam linguistic identity; State was carved on linguistic basis under the SRC (Fazl Ali Commission), 1955 report.
Administrative:
Requires consequential changes in First Schedule entries, official seals, currency-printed nomenclature etc.; boundaries and area unchanged.

24 June 2024: Kerala Legislative Assembly passed a unanimous resolution appealing for renaming to "Keralam" [S2].
24 February 2026: Union Cabinet approved the proposal; President to refer the Bill to Kerala Assembly under proviso to Art. 3 [S1].

Power to alter name of a State lies with Parliament, not the State Legislature — Article 3 [S1].
Such a Bill can be introduced only on the recommendation of the President [S1].
President must refer the Bill to the State Legislature for views — under the proviso to Article 3 [S1].
State Legislature's views are not binding on Parliament.
Law under Art. 3 needs only simple majority (Art. 4(2)) — not a constitutional amendment.
The List of States is contained in the First Schedule of the Constitution [S2].
Bill in question: Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 [S1].
Cabinet approval date: 24 February 2026 [S1].
Kerala Assembly resolution date: 24 June 2024 (unanimous) [S2].
Kerala State was formed on 1 November 1956 under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
Earlier state renamings: Odisha (2011), Uttarakhand (2007), Puducherry (2006), Tamil Nadu (1969).
Article 4 — consequential changes in First and Fourth Schedules can be made without invoking Art. 368.

GS-II: Indian Constitution — features, amendments; functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States; federal structure.
GS-I: Post-independence consolidation — linguistic reorganisation of states.
Possible question stems:
"Discuss the constitutional process for altering the name of a State in India. Critically examine whether the proviso to Article 3 adequately protects federal interests."
"Linguistic identity has remained a continuing basis for state reorganisation in India. Examine in the light of recent proposals to rename States."
"Distinguish between the procedures under Articles 3 and 368 of the Constitution."

Articles 1–4 of the Constitution — Union and its territory.
States Reorganisation Act, 1956 & Fazl Ali Commission — linguistic reorganisation basis.
Berubari Union case (1960) & 9th Constitutional Amendment — cession of territory needs Art. 368, not Art. 3.
First Schedule of the Constitution — list of States/UTs.
Renaming precedents: Odisha, Uttarakhand, Puducherry — comparative procedural study.
Article 368 vs Article 4 — constitutional vs ordinary amendment distinction.
Cooperative federalism — Inter-State Council, NITI Aayog Governing Council.
Statehood demands (Gorkhaland, Vidarbha) — Art. 3 power in contemporary context.

Mistake: Thinking renaming a state needs a constitutional amendment under Art. 368. Correct: Simple majority law under Art. 3 (per Art. 4) suffices.
Mistake: Believing the State Legislature's consent is mandatory. Correct: Only its views are sought; they are not binding.
Mistake: Confusing cession of Indian territory to a foreign country (needs Art. 368 — Berubari) with internal reorganisation (Art. 3).
Mistake: Attributing the Bill to a state-level enactment. Correct: The Bill must be enacted by Parliament.
Mistake: Treating the 2023 Kerala resolution as the operative one — the 24 June 2024 resolution is the relevant fresh resolution acted upon [S2].

[S1] Cabinet approves alteration of the name of the State of "Kerala" to "Keralam" — Press Information Bureau — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2232093 — (tier: 1)
[S2] Cabinet approves alteration of the name of the State of "Kerala" to "Keralam" — Prime Minister of India (pmindia.gov.in) — https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/cabinet-approves-alteration-of-the-name-of-the-state-of-kerala-to-keralam/ — (tier: 1)